SKILLS FOR THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD MAY 2021 - Immigration and the Success of Canada’s Post-Pandemic

vii Immigration and the success of Canada’s post-pandemic economy This paper, part of the Skills for the Post-Pandemic World series of research reports, explores how the limits placed on the international movement of people by the pandemic could impact Canada’s labour force. [...] As Churchill famously said (perhaps becoming a too-often-heard cliché of the pandemic), “never let a good crisis go to waste.” In meeting the challenge of COVID-19, Canada has an opportunity to better prepare for the needs of the workforce of the future, while strengthening the economy. [...] Before discussing some of the opportunities and challenges the country will face in efforts to welcome an increased number of skilled immigrants over the next few years and into the future, this report analyzes the socio- economic impacts of the pandemic on different populations, which have accentuated barriers — potential and actual — to full economic and societal inclusion. [...] 8 Immigration and the success of Canada’s post-pandemic economy THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON IMMIGRATION The Government of Canada’s Fall Economic Statement 2020 describes immigration as the most important source of Canada’s population and labour-force growth; however, an obvious result of the pandemic has. [...] In this time of ongoing crisis and in the years that will follow, it will be crucial to Canada’s economic success to remember that “immigrants are a necessary component to achieve economic growth and keep taxpayer-funded systems such as pensions and health-care stable and balanced.”57 vi Due to the nature of the survey questions, the report’s authors were unable to determine respondents’ reasoning.